U.S. patent number 8,419,114 [Application Number 13/221,454] was granted by the patent office on 2013-04-16 for dual action hood latch assembly for a vehicle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Joseph P. Fannon, Edward J. Zentera, Jr.. Invention is credited to Joseph P. Fannon, Edward J. Zentera, Jr..
United States Patent |
8,419,114 |
Fannon , et al. |
April 16, 2013 |
Dual action hood latch assembly for a vehicle
Abstract
In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a hood latch assembly
is provided for a vehicle. The hood latch assembly is configured to
be positioned within a forward compartment of a vehicle and to
releasably retain a hood of the vehicle in a closed position with a
first hood latch and in a partly open position with a second hood
latch. A hood latch release mechanism is configured to be
positioned within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and be
coupled to the hood latch assembly for releasing the first hood
latch upon a first operation of the hood latch release mechanism
and releasing the second hood latch upon a second operation of the
hood latch release mechanism. This provides a dual-action release
mechanism that can be operated entirely from within the
vehicle.
Inventors: |
Fannon; Joseph P. (Washington,
MI), Zentera, Jr.; Edward J. (Troy, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fannon; Joseph P.
Zentera, Jr.; Edward J. |
Washington
Troy |
MI
MI |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GM Global Technology Operations
LLC (Detroit, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
47665410 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/221,454 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2011 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20130049403 A1 |
Feb 28, 2013 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/193.11;
180/69.2; 292/DIG.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
83/24 (20130101); E05B 81/28 (20130101); E05B
81/18 (20130101); Y10T 292/57 (20150401); E05B
81/08 (20130101); E05B 79/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60N
99/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;296/193.11 ;292/DIG.14
;180/69.2,69.21 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lyjak; Lori
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ingrassia Fisher & Lorenz,
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle, comprising: a hood providing closure for a forward
compartment of the vehicle; a hood latch assembly positioned within
the forward compartment and configured to releasably retain the
hood in a closed position with a first hood latch and in a partly
open position with a second hood latch; a hood latch release
mechanism operable from within a passenger compartment of the
vehicle and coupled to the hood latch assembly for releasing the
first hood latch upon a first operation of the hood latch release
mechanism and releasing the second hood latch upon a second
operation of the hood latch release mechanism; wherein, both the
first and second hood latches are released from within the
passenger compartment of the vehicle allowing the hood to move to
an open position.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hood latch release mechanism
further comprises a release cable coupled to the hood latch
assembly and to a release handle within the passenger
compartment.
3. The vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a lockout system
preventing the release handle from operation.
4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the lockout system prevents the
release handle from operation unless a shift lever of the vehicle
is in a park position.
5. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the lockout system prevents the
release handle from operation unless a brake pedal of the vehicle
is depressed.
6. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the lockout system prevents the
release handle from operation unless an engine of the vehicle is
off.
7. The vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a hood ajar warning
indicator that becomes activated when the hood moves to the partly
open position.
8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein an engine of the vehicle is
turned off if a shift lever of the vehicle is taken out of the park
position when the hood ajar warning indicator is active.
9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hood latch release mechanism
further comprises an electrical release device coupled to the hood
latch assembly, the electrical release device being activated by a
vehicle controller responsive to receiving a first command to
release the first hood latch from within the passenger compartment
of the vehicle.
10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the electrical release device
is activated by the vehicle controller responsive to receiving a
second command to release the second hood latch.
11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a lockout system
preventing the vehicle controller from activating the electrical
release device.
12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the lockout system prevents
the vehicle controller from activating the electrical release
device when the vehicle is moving.
13. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the lockout system prevents
the vehicle controller from activating the electrical release
device unless a shift lever of the vehicle is in a park
position.
14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the lockout system prevents
the vehicle controller from activating the electrical release
device unless a brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed.
15. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a bias element for
raising the hood above the first hood latch upon the first
operation of the hood latch release mechanism and raising the hood
above the second hood latch upon the second operation of the hood
latch release mechanism.
16. A system, comprising: a hood latch assembly configured to be
positioned within a forward compartment of a vehicle and to
releasably retain a hood of a vehicle in a closed position with a
first hood latch and in a partly open position with a second hood
latch; and a hood latch release mechanism configured to be
positioned within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and be
coupled to the hood latch assembly for releasing the first hood
latch upon a first operation of the hood latch release mechanism
and releasing the second hood latch upon a second operation of the
hood latch release mechanism.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the hood latch release
mechanism further comprises a release cable coupled to the hood
latch assembly and to a release handle within the passenger
compartment.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the hood latch release
mechanism further comprises an electrical release device coupled to
the hood latch assembly, the electrical release device being
configured to be activated by a vehicle controller of the
vehicle.
19. The system of claim 16, further comprising a lockout system
configured to prevent the hood latch release mechanism from
operating.
20. A method, comprising: releasing a first hood latch retaining a
hood providing closure for a forward compartment of a vehicle upon
a first operation of a hood latch release mechanism positioned
within a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and releasing a
second hood latch retaining the hood in a partly open position upon
a second operation of the hood latch release mechanism positioned
within the passenger compartment of the vehicle; whereby, both the
first and second hood latches are released from within the
passenger compartment of the vehicle allowing the hood to move to
an open position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The technical field generally relates to hood latch assemblies for
vehicles, and more particularly to a dual action hood latch
assembly for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Contemporary vehicles typically include a hood providing closure to
an engine compartment. The hood can be moved between an open
position to permit access to the engine compartment and a closed
position against the vehicle body to close off access to the engine
compartment. Generally, a hood latch retains the hood in the closed
position, but can be unlatched to permit the hood to be moved to
its open position.
One common type of hood latch assembly includes a primary latch for
latching the hood in its closed position, a cable release operable
from inside the vehicle to move the primary latch to an unlatched
position, and a pop-up spring to move the hood to a partly open
position where the hood is held by a secondary latch. The secondary
latch is provided as a safety feature should the primary latch
release unexpectedly so that the hood cannot fly open while the
vehicle is being operated. The secondary latch is typically
manually operated through access at the front of the vehicle to
allow the hood to be unlatched from its partly open position and
moved towards its open position.
However, some users object to having to feel around under a partly
open hood for the secondary hood release since the area around the
vehicle grill or under the hood is often a dirty and hot
environment. Also, getting out of the passenger compartment to move
to the front of the vehicle may be inconvenient or undesirable due
to inclement weather.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved hood latch
assembly for a vehicle. Also, it is desirable to provide an
improved hood latch assembly for a vehicle that overcomes the
determents of conventional hood latch assemblies. Additionally,
other desirable features and characteristics of the present
invention will become apparent from the subsequent description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the
foregoing technical field and background.
BRIEF SUMMARY
In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a hood latch and release
mechanism is provided for a vehicle. The system comprises a hood
latch assembly configured to be positioned within a forward
compartment of a vehicle and to releasably retain a hood of a
vehicle in a closed position with a first hood latch and in a
partly open position with a second hood latch. A hood latch release
mechanism configured to be positioned within a passenger
compartment of the vehicle and be coupled to the hood latch
assembly for releasing the first hood latch upon a first operation
of the hood latch release mechanism. The second hood latch is
released upon a second operation of the hood latch release
mechanism. In one embodiment, this provides a dual-action release
mechanism that can be operated entirely from within the vehicle. In
other embodiments, the release mechanism could be located elsewhere
on the vehicle.
In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a hood latch release
method is provided for a vehicle. The method comprises releasing a
first hood latch retaining a hood providing closure for a forward
compartment of a vehicle upon a first operation of a hood latch
release mechanism positioned within a passenger compartment of the
vehicle. The second hood latch retains the hood in a partly open
position and is released upon a second operation of the hood latch
release mechanism positioned within the passenger compartment of
the vehicle. In this way, both the first and second hood latches
are released from within the passenger compartment of the vehicle
allowing the hood to move to an open position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote
like elements, and:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a vehicle suitable for using exemplary
mechanical embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a vehicle suitable for using exemplary
electrical embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of a passenger compartment
of the vehicle of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a dual-action hood latch
according to mechanical or electrical embodiments of the present
disclosure; and
FIGS. 5A-5D are side-view illustrations of the hood latch of FIG. 4
that demonstrate the dual-action operation of the hood latch
assembly according to mechanical or electrical embodiments of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature
and is not intended to limit the subject matter of the disclosure
or its uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any
expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical
field, background, brief summary or the following detailed
description.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and
the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action
from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or
implying any actual such relationship or order between such
entities or actions. Numerical ordinals such as "first," "second,"
"third," etc. simply denote different singles of a plurality and do
not imply any order or sequence unless specifically defined by the
claim language.
Additionally, the following description refers to elements or
features being "connected" or "coupled" together. As used herein,
"connected" may refer to one element/feature being directly joined
to (or directly communicating with) another element/feature, and
not necessarily mechanically. Likewise, "coupled" may refer to one
element/feature being directly or indirectly joined to (or directly
or indirectly communicating with) another element/feature, and not
necessarily mechanically. However, it should be understood that,
although two elements may be described below, in one embodiment, as
being "connected," in alternative embodiments similar elements may
be "coupled," and vice versa. Thus, although the schematic diagrams
shown herein depict example arrangements of elements, additional
intervening elements, devices, features, or components may be
present in an actual embodiment.
Finally, for the sake of brevity, conventional techniques and
components related to vehicle mechanical or electrical parts and
other functional aspects of the system (and the individual
operating components of the system) may not be described in detail
herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various
figures contained herein are intended to represent example
functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the
various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or
additional functional relationships or physical connections may be
present in an embodiment of the invention. It should also be
understood that FIGS. 1-4 are merely illustrative and may not be
drawn to scale.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to
like components, FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 10 suitable for use with
the exemplary mechanical embodiments of the present disclosure. The
vehicle 10 may be any one of a number of different types of
vehicles, such as, for example, a sedan, a wagon, a truck, or a
sport utility vehicle (SUV), and may be two-wheel drive (2WD),
four-wheel drive (4WD), or all-wheel drive (AWD). The vehicle 10
may also incorporate any one of, or combination of, a number of
different types of engines, such as, for example, a gasoline or
diesel fueled combustion engine, a flex fuel vehicle (FFV) engine
(i.e., using a mixture of gasoline and alcohol), a gaseous compound
(e.g., hydrogen and/or natural gas) fueled engine, a
combustion/electric motor hybrid engine, and an electric motor.
The vehicle 10 includes a hood 12 that provides closure to a
forward compartment, which in some embodiments may be an engine
compartment. The hood 12 is shown in solid lines in its closed
position and in dashed lines in a partly open position 12' and a
fully open position 12''. The hood 12 may be released by operation
of a hood release handle 14 that causes a hood latch assembly 16 to
release the hood via a hood release cable 18. Together the hood
release handle 14 and the hood release cable 18 form a hood release
mechanism for the exemplary mechanical embodiments of the present
disclosure. A first operation of the hood release mechanism causes
a first (or primary) hood latch to release the hood to a partly
open position 12' where it is retained by a second (or secondary)
hood latch as will be discussed in more detail below in conjunction
with FIG. 4. However, unlike conventional secondary hood latches
that require manual operation by a user through access at the front
of the vehicle, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
contemplate that the hood may be unlatched from its partly open
position and fully released to move towards its open position from
inside a passenger compartment 20 of the vehicle 10 via a second
operation of the hood release mechanism. That is, a user may
completely unlatch the hood (both the primary and secondary hood
latches) so that it may be moved to an open position 12'' while
remaining comfortably within the vehicle 10.
Referring now to FIG. 2, wherein like reference numbers refer to
like components, exemplary electrical embodiments of the present
disclosure include a hood latch assembly 16 that is electrically
operated by a vehicle controller 22 (or other electronic control
system) upon a user activating a hood release switch or button 24.
Together, the vehicle controller 22, the hood release switch 24,
and wires 26 comprise a hood release mechanism for the exemplary
electrical embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle
controller 22 communicates via one or more wires 26 that carry a
signal or power to an electrical release device that operates the
hood latch assembly 16 to release the hood 12 from its closed
position upon a first operation of the hood release switch to its
partly open position 12'. A second operation of the hood release
switch 24 unlatches the secondary hood latch allowing the hood 12''
to move to its open position.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of the passenger compartment
20 of the vehicle 10 of FIG. 1 or 2. In the mechanical embodiments
(FIG. 1) of the hood release mechanism, a hood release handle 14 is
positioned for operation by a user. For the electrical embodiments
(FIG. 2) of the hood release mechanism, a hood release switch
(e.g., button) 24 is shown positioned on the dashboard of the
passenger compartment 20. It will be appreciated, however, that the
hood release handle 14 and the hood release switch 24 may be
positioned in other areas of the passenger compartment 20 as
determined by the vehicle manufacturer for the convenience of the
user.
Since the hood 12 may be completely unlatched from within the
vehicle (see FIG. 1 or 2), the present disclosure contemplates a
number of safety lockout systems for the assurance and protection
of the vehicle occupants. First, in accordance with conventional
mechanical vehicle lockout systems, the hood release handle 14 may
be prevented from operating unless a shift lever 26 is in the
"park" position. Also, the hood release handle 14 may be prevented
from operating unless a brake pedal 28 is depressed toward the
floor board. Additionally, the hood release handle 14 may be
prevented from operating unless the engine (not shown) is off.
It is also common for contemporary vehicles to have a hood ajar
warning indicator that would be activated upon the first operation
of the hood release handle 14 as a cautionary measure before the
second operation of the hood release handle 14 was permitted. In
various embodiments, the hood ajar warning indicator could be an
illuminated phrase or icon 30 in the dashboard or a message that is
presented on a display 32 of a driver information center of the
vehicle. Either of these visual warning indicators could be
accompanied by an audible tone or recorded (stored) voice message
to warn the user that the hood 12' (see FIG. 1 or 2) is ajar.
Finally, in the abundance of caution, the engine (not shown) of the
vehicle could be turned off (if running) if the shift lever 26 was
taken out of the "park" position while the hood ajar warning
indicator was active.
The electrical embodiments (see FIG. 2) also contemplate a number
of safety lockout features. Generally, these embodiments make use
of the vehicle controller (22 in FIG. 2) to monitor various systems
within the vehicle. Generally, in the electrical embodiments, the
hood release switch 24 will be operable (that is, the switch can be
depressed), however, the vehicle controller will not send a signal
or power to the solenoid operating the hood latch (16 in FIG. 2)
if, for example, the shift lever 26 is not in the "park" position
or the brake pedal 28 is not depressed toward the floor. Other
safety lockout conditions include, but are not limited to, the
vehicle controller (22 of FIG. 2) detecting that the vehicle is
moving or the engine is running. In some embodiments, a pair of
hood release switches (24 and 24') must be simultaneously activated
(depressed) as a further precautionary measure against accidental
hood opening. Also, the pair of hood release switches (24 and 24')
may be positioned far enough apart to require the use of two
hands.
FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a dual-action hood latch 16
in accordance with either the mechanical (FIG. 1) or electrical
(FIG. 2) exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The hood
latch 16 engages a striker 40 that is coupled to the underside of
the hood (not shown in FIG. 4). In the closed position, a first
(primary) hood latch 42 engages the striker 40 as shown. A second
(secondary) hood latch 44 is positioned above the striker 40 to
engage it upon the release of the striker 40 from the first hood
latch 42 so that the hood (12' of FIG. 1 or 2) rises (via
conventional spring bias or equivalent) to the partly open
position. The first and second hood latches (42 and 44) are
operated by a cam 46 that has pins (43 and 45) that rotate the
first and second hood latch (42 and 44 respectively) in a clockwise
direction (in FIG. 4) to release the striker 40 upon a first
operation and then a second operation of a hood latch release
mechanism (not shown in FIG. 4). The cam 46 is coupled via a
fastener 50 to a cable or rod 48, which in turn may be connected to
a solenoid 52 in the electrical embodiments (see FIG. 2) or to the
hood release cable (18 of FIG. 1) in the mechanical embodiments.
The solenoid 52 receives operational signal or power (to energize
the solenoid) via wires 26 that are coupled to the vehicle
controller (22 of FIG. 2). In the various mechanical embodiments,
it will be appreciated that the hood release cable 18 may be
directly coupled to the cam 46 via the fastener 50 if desired in
any particular embodiment.
FIGS. 5A-5D are side-view illustrations of the hood latch 16 that
demonstrate its dual-action operation. FIG. 5A shows the hood latch
16 in the hood (12 of FIG. 1 or 2) closed position with the striker
40 retained by the first hood latch 42. In FIG. 5B, the first
operation of the hood release mechanism (not shown in FIGS. 5A-5B)
begins by causing a downward force 54 on the cam 46 either via the
solenoid or hood release cable (52 and 18 respectively of FIG. 4)
that is coupled to the rod or cable 48. The downward force 54
causes the cam 46 to rotate in a counter-clockwise (in FIGS. 5A-5B)
direction (as indicated by arrow 56) against the bias of spring 57.
Pin 43, in turn, rotates the first hood latch 42 against the bias
of spring 43 in a counter-clockwise direction (as indicated by
arrow 58) releasing the striker 40, which begins to rise (via
conventional spring bias or equivalent) as indicated by arrow 60.
The cam 46 continues to rotate until pin 43 encounters a stop 62 in
the first hood latch 42, which prevents further travel of the cable
or rod 48. This completes the first operation of the hood release
mechanism and the hood (12' of FIG. 1 or 2) is now positioned in
the partly open position where the striker 40 is engaged by the
second hood latch 44 as shown in FIG. 5C.
In FIG. 5D, the second operation of the hood release mechanism
again begins by causing a downward force 54 on the cam 46 either
via the solenoid or hood release cable (52 and 18 respectively of
FIG. 4) that is coupled to the rod or cable 48. The downward force
54 causes the cam 46 to rotate further in a counter-clockwise (in
FIGS. 5A-5B) direction (as indicated by arrow 56). Pin 45, in turn,
rotates the second hood latch 44 in a counter-clockwise direction
(as indicated by arrow 58) releasing the striker 40, which
continues to rise (via conventional spring bias or equivalent) as
indicated by arrow 60. The cam 46 continues to rotate until pin 43
travels down a channel 64 in the first hood latch 42 and encounters
a stop 66 at the bottom of the channel 64 which prevents further
travel of the cable or rod 48. This completes the second operation
of the hood release mechanism and the hood (12'' of FIG. 1 or 2)
may now be moved to a fully open position since the striker 40 is
now released from second hood latch 44. It will be appreciated that
while the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D have been illustrated
as pull-pull dual-action for the first and second operations of the
hood release mechanism, that the various embodiments of the present
disclosure are readily adaptable to a pull-push, push-pull or
push-push dual-action operation.
Accordingly, a dual-action hood latch is provided for a vehicle
facilitating release of both a first (primary) hood latch and a
second (secondary) hood latch from within the passenger compartment
of a vehicle. Numerous safety lockout systems are contemplated for
the assurance and safety of the occupants of the vehicle.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the
foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be
appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also
be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary
embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the
scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any
way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will
provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for
implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It
should be understood that various changes can be made in the
function and arrangement of elements without departing from the
scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the
legal equivalents thereof.
* * * * *